Kargil conflict timeline

India launched air strikes in May 1999 in Indian-administered Kashmir for the first time in 20 years. Follow the key developments in the flare-up:

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May 1999

India launches Kashmir air attack (26 May)
India launches air strikes against militants in Indian-administered Kashmir for the first time in 20 years.

India promises further raids (26 May)
India says it will continue to bomb militant infiltrators in Indian-administered Kashmir until it has driven them out.

Pakistan army on high alert (26 May)
Pakistan has called the Indian air strikes in Kashmir "very, very serious" and put its troops on high alert.

India loses two jets (27 May)
The Indian Government confirms that two of its aircraft are lost during a series of air strikes against militants in Kashmir.

Pakistan proposes Delhi mission (29 May)
Pakistan proposes sending foreign minister Sartaj Aziz to India to ease tensions in the disputed Kashmir region.

Indian pilot 'killed in cold blood' (30 May)
An Indian pilot whose plane was shot down by Pakistan forces died from bullet wounds suffered after he ejected, Indian officials say .

Bid to defuse Kashmir tensions (31 May)
India and Pakistan agree to hold talks over Kashmir in the first sign that the two sides might be trying to defuse escalating tensions.

June 1999

Kashmir peace hopes flounder (03 June)
India slams 'dangerous' Kashmir claims
As India promises to continue ground and air strikes against infiltrators, a senior Indian minister warns there is little point in peace talks with Pakistan.

India halts bombing (05 June)
India hands over 'Pakistani bodies'
India announces a pause in bombing raids in Kashmir.

Kashmir talks confirmed (08 June)
Indian Prime Minister's address to the nation
Pakistan and India fix a date for their first significant attempt to defuse the tension over Kashmir.

New air strikes ahead of talks (09 June)
India continues its assault on suspected infiltrators holed up in the Himalayas with fresh air strikes, ahead of talks with Pakistan.

Pakistan denies mutilation claims (11 June)
Pakistan strongly denies allegations that the bodies of six Indian soldiers in Kashmir were mutilated by its soldiers before being handed back.

No deal at Kashmir talks (13 June)
India and Pakistan end their talks on the fierce fighting in Kashmir without agreement on how to halt the conflict.

India pushes on with offensive (16 June)
India claims successes (17 June)
Thousands flee fighting (18 June)
India presses ahead with its military offensive, a day after US President Clinton asked Pakistan to persuade them to pull out.

Kashmir diplomacy hots up (29 June)
Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif returns from China, as a flurry of diplomatic activity aimed at ending the ongoing Kashmir conflict gets underway in India and Pakistan.

July 1999

Clinton urges India-Pakistan talks (4 July)
Pakistan's Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and US President Bill Clinton that "concrete steps will be taken" to restore the fragile Line of Control between Indian and Pakistani forces in Kashmir.

India seizes strategic peak (4 July)
India announces it has taken the key Tiger Hill peak following an all-out assault, as it prepares to respond to a joint statement by Pakistan's prime minister Nawaz Sharif and US President Bill Clinton agree that "concrete steps will be taken" to restore the Line of Control.

Kashmir pull-out agreed (11 July)
Islamic militants are reported to be leaving the mountains of Indian Kashmir as both Pakistan and India claim victory in the two-month conflict.

Sharif appeals for Kashmir solution (12 July)
The Pakistani Prime Minister, Nawaz Sharif, appeals for a permanent settlement of the Kashmir dispute, as fighting in the territory dies down.